Interview with Marla Martenson and book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Marla Martenson is a professional matchmaker and the author of a few books about dating and relationships, her latest being "Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker." Having personally been on both sides of the matchmaking spectrum (being responsible for a marriage and also being initially set up with my husband), I am definitely looking forward to reading her memoir about this same topic. Marla Martenson is very personable and fun to chat with and Melissa P. and I enjoyed working on this interview with her. We hope you will enjoy getting to know her, as well. She has some great advice for "all the single ladies" (and men) out there. She has also offered to give away two copies of "Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker" to some lucky US readers.

MP: What is your usual writing routine?
MM: I don't really have a set routine. I generally like to write in the mid mornings or early afternoon though because by 6:00 my energy level has dropped considerably. I am now writing the sequel to Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker and since it is
a memoir, I write a lot of it based on things that are happening in my life as I go, so sometimes I have to wait a few weeks to get some more material.
For example, tonight I am going to a concert of my favorite band, Thriving Ivory, so that story will be added in for sure.

MP: What do you like to do when you are not writing or matchmaking?
MM: I love hiking, working out, reading, traveling, going to lectures and spiritual centers, making videos, drinking vanilla soy lattes and keeping up with my foreign languages that I speak.

MP: Are all of the dating stories in your books true or do you add/change many of the details to make them fictional?
MM: Most of the stories are true, although I did change or combine the details on some, and of course I changed the names.

MP: When can we expect to see a sequel to "Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker" in stores?
MM: The sequel to "Diary of a Beverly Hill Matchmaker" will most likely be in stores in the fall of 2011.

MP: Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you get yourself through it?
MM:I do sometimes experience writer's block. When that happens I step away from the project and do something else. Sometimes I take a week off from writing and come back to it fresh.

MA: Did any of the people mentioned in your book recognize themselves and then comment to you about it?
MM: One guy did recognize himself in a certain story, but he sort of didn't want
to admit it was him, so after reading the book he told me, "I hope I am not in the book." It was a small bit, but made him look quite shallow. It was just too good not to include.

MA: What is your favorite piece of advice to give to single women? Does it differ from what you would say to men?
MM: I like to tell single women to live their best lives and get out and do things that make them happy and improve themselves. Some women make man hunting a top priority like job hunting or something. It is a lot of pressure and there can be a lot of disappointment. If a woman is out there enjoying life and improving herself with exercise, learning new things and travel, she will sparkle and become so darn interesting and magnetic, that she will attract the right guy automatically.
I would tell men to open up their horizons a little bit. Men are so darn visual that they often discount a woman who is five pounds too heavy or has the wrong hair color. it can be very limiting.

MA: How do you feel whenever a match you've made results in a wedding?
MM: I feel so thrilled when a couple gets engaged or emails me to let me know they got married! it makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

MA: What was the first match you made before going professional?
MM: I don't think I ever matched anyone before I got into the business. I could barely match myself. I was hopeless, always picking the bad boy.

MA: I read on your website that you met your husband in Mexico City. How exactly did you meet and how did you know he was the one?
MM: I actually met my husband in Los Angeles. He grew up in Mexico City and we did get married in Mexico City. We were introduced through a mutual friend who is the manager of our apartment building. Adolfo actually started introducing me as his girlfriend after dating for only three weeks. He also gave me a key to his apartment and started using the word "we" a lot, so I knew he was serious.

Special thanks to Marla Martenson for doing this interview with us and providing the books for the giveaway.

Thanks always to Melissa P. for contributing some great questions to this interview, as well as all the others she has worked on.


How to win "Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted.)

For additional entries (each as a separate comment including your e-mail address, as well):
1. Please tell us: Have you ever tried to play matchmaker?
OR
2. Please tell us: Have you ever been set up with someone for a relationship?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US residents only. Giveaway ends Thursday, September 2nd, at midnight EST.